Barca hoping Yamal's Golden touch can get LaLiga campaign back on track

Barcelona's teenage forward Lamine Yamal is expected to return from injury against Las Palmas in LaLiga on Saturday, with the 2024 Golden Boy winner's recovery providing a major boost for the leaders after two recent slip-ups.

On Wednesday, 17-year-old Yamal won the award given to the best European men's player under 21 after a remarkable breakout season in which he became the youngest player to earn a winner's medal at the Euros when Spain beat England 2-1 in the final.

He has continued that excellent form this season, with five goals and seven assists in 12 league games for Barca, who have keenly felt his absence in recent weeks due to an ankle injury.

The champions' six-point advantage over second-placed Real Madrid, who have a game in hand, has shrunk to four after a loss and draw in their last two league fixtures, which ended a seven-game winning streak in all competitions that started in October.

Their Champions League form has not dipped, however, and they cruised to a 3-0 win over Brest on Tuesday, after which coach Hansi Flick could be seen on the broadcast having an animated conversation with Yamal.

Asked what he said to the 17-year-old, Flick told reporters: "I can't tell you what I have said to him. Only that I hope he will be with us on Saturday.

"I talk to the players, it's normal. What we talk about is always between us. It had to do with tomorrow's session and that maybe on Saturday he can play."

Barcelona have an excellent record against Las Palmas and are unbeaten in their last 20 home league matches against the Canary Islands side. Las Palmas last won a LaLiga game at Barca in 1971.

Touching distance

Real, who have 30 points from 13 games, will aim to keep Barca within touching distance when they host Getafe on Sunday.

Carlo Ancelotti's side will be licking their wounds after a 2-0 Champions League defeat at Liverpool on Wednesday, which slowed the momentum they had built up after two big LaLiga wins over Osasuna and Leganes.

Their injury crisis has also shown no signs of abating, with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defender Lucas Vazquez's returns being offset by a hamstring injury to midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, who was substituted in the 56th minute at Anfield.

Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao are out with long-term injuries, while Vinicius Junior, Aurelien Tchouameni, Rodrygo and David Alaba all missed the trip to Liverpool.

Third-placed Atletico Madrid, a point behind Real, travel to bottom club Real Valladolid on Saturday and will be looking to extend their six-match winning streak across all competitions and put their name in the mix for a potential title tilt.

In a match on Sunday that could affect the race to secure a spot in the Champions League, fourth-placed Villarreal on 25 points host seventh-placed Girona who have 21.